Daviess County CES

County Emphasis:

Work and Life Skill Development

Concentration 1:

Work and Life Skill Development

Concentration 2:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being

Concentration 3:

Building Leadership Capacity

Situation:

Kentucky household income statistics are concerning, with the median household income in Kentucky on a downward trend (i.e., approximately $55,100, which is 74% of the U.S. median income). Most alarming, it is estimated that nearly 62% of Kentucky households do not generate sufficient income to meet living wage standards given the state’s average cost of living. The Kentucky Center for Business and Economic Research (2024) projects that, “a key for Kentucky’s future economic growth is to identify and successfully implement programs that increase the employment-population ratio, particularly for working-age adults.” The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) is committed to improving the work and life skill development of adults across the Commonwealth by offering programming designed to increase the human capital of constituents. This includes providing education and training on topics such as workforce preparation, job readiness, financial literacy, soft skills, and professionalism, among others. In a 2023 University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Community Needs Assessment, with nearly 28,000 responses from across the state, Building Employee Soft Skills (e.g., communication, productivity, and teamwork skills) and Building Life Skills of Community Members were among the top ten Individual and Family Development Needs reported by Kentuckians. Youth Focus America’s future hinges on a prepared workforce and engaged communities collaborating to tackle society’s most pressing challenges. As of 2024, there are 2,465,949 job openings in Kentucky and nationwide there are 10 million unfilled jobs. Fasted growing jobs are in the fields of vocational education and higher education teachers, agriculture professionals, and digitally enabled roles: ecommerce specialists, digital transformation specialists, and digital marketing professionals (World Economic Forum, 2023). 85% of the jobs that will exist in 2030 haven’t been invented yet (Dell Technologies, 2019). 77% of employers say focus less on traditional school subjects, more on real-world skills (Kauffman Foundation, 2021). Skills like analytical thinking, creative thinking, resilience, flexibility, adaptability are key (World Economic Forum, 2023). According to the National 4-H Index Study 2024, 80% explored career options, 50% received guidance for college decisions, and 95% reported 4-H helped them identify things they were good at. To ensure a sustainable society, it is crucial that our youth are equipped to fill these positions. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension System Community Needs Assessment (2023) has identified key priority issues related to life skill development for young people. These priorities include youth life skill training opportunities, youth workforce readiness, and maximizing youth voice in matters that directly impact them. Empowering our youth to actively participate in addressing societal issues is essential for a thriving future.

County Situation:

The median household income in Daviess County in 2023 was $65,323 which is above the state average. The 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED in Daviess County reported unemployment was 5.1%.  The Daviess County Extension Council in 2024,  determined the following to be top priorities from the results of the Community Needs Assessment, conducted in 2023, from Davies County:  youth life skill training opportunities (for example leadership and communication skill-building opportunities), strengthening youth and adult workforce readiness, building financial literacy and/or resource management skills, and stronger parenting and relationship-building skills.

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Increased human capital among Kentuckians
• Strong leadership pool for community boards and organizations
• Increased community pride or investment
• Increased financial literacy skills

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Participants gain confidence to lead
• Leaders address community issues and needs
• Leaders recruit and engage others to participate in community projects
• Leaders are inspired to get more involved
• Leaders mentor others
• Increased knowledge transfer through volunteer-led positions

Initial Outcomes:

• Participants gain confidence to lead
• Leaders address community issues and needs
• Leaders recruit and engage others to participate in community projects
• Leaders are inspired to get more involved
• Leaders mentor others
• Increased knowledge transfer through volunteer-led positions

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:  Increased engagement via knowledge transfer through volunteer-lead Extension programs.

Indicator:  Number of participants who actively engaged in learning opportunities facilitated by trained Extension Master Gardener Volunteers.

Method:  Volunteer reports tracking education interactions.

Timeline: Data collected immediately after each program/event in 2025-2026

Initial Outcome: Improved employability and/or interpersonal skills (e.g. job interview skills, communication, networking, time management)

Indicator: Number of participants who reported improvement in job interview skills; Number of participants who reported improvement in personal skills

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Information collected upon completion of programs

Initial Outcome: Knowledge gained through completing training programs

Indicator: Number of people reporting enhanced knowledge of leadership concepts and practices (e.g. leadership styles, conflict resolution, team dynamics)

Method: Post participating survey

Timeline: Information collected upon completion of program

Initial Outcome: Giving time to serve in volunteer roles (e.g. KEHA or KALP members, Master programs, etc.)

Indicator: Number of people volunteering time to assist Extension or community activities and events

Method: Post participation survey

Timeline: Information collected upon completion of program

Initial Outcome: Improved financial and/or resource management skills (e.g. created a budget, checking credit report, developing an estate plan, etc.)

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported developing skills related to family finance and/or resource management

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Information collected upon completion of program

Initial Outcome: Short Term

Indicator: Number of youth who reported learning new skills to prepare or improve themselves for the workforce as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.

Method: Survey

Timeline: Information collected upon completion of programs

Initial Outcome: Short Term

Indicator: Number of volunteers who facilitated experiences for youth to work in a team/group to accomplish a common task or goal

Method: Survey

Timeline: Information collected upon completion of programs

Initial Outcome: Short Term

Indicator: Number of youth who reported that they learned about budgeting

Method: Survey

Timeline: Information collected upon completion of program

Intermediate Outcome: Giving time to serve in volunteer roles through the Extension Master Gardener Program

Indicator: Number of people volunteering time to assist Extension or community activities and events, including the number of hours reported.

Method: Post participation survey

Timeline: Survey collected annually for volunteer hours reported.

Intermediate Outcome: Medium Term

Indicator: Number of youth who developed a resume as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach

Method: Surveys

Timeline: Information collected upon completion of program

Intermediate Outcome: Medium Term

Indicator: Number of youth who reported that they have practiced budgeting skills

Method: Survey

Timeline: End of the program year

Long-Term Outcome: Engage leaders in local coalitions and organizations

Indicator: Number of individuals actively engaged in coalitions or organizations to address significant community issues

Method: Post-program survey, tracking participation in coalitions and organizations

Timeline: Survey collected immediately after completion, follow-up conducted at three and six months

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Latino High School students

Project or Activity: 4-H Adelante

Content or Curriculum: UK Extension

Inputs: 4-H Agent, Public School teachers & staff, community volunteers

Date: Spring 2026

Audience: 4-H Teens

Project or Activity: 4-H Thrive/4-H Life

Content or Curriculum: UK Extension

Inputs: 4-H Agent

Date: Fall 2025

Audience: 5th graders

Project or Activity: Dollars and Sense

Content or Curriculum: Dollars and Sense

Inputs: 4-H Agent, local FRYSC

Date: 2025-2026

Audience: 8th grade students

Project or Activity: Reality Store

Content or Curriculum: It's Your Reality

Inputs: 4-H Agent, program assistant

Date: 2025-2026

Audience: Youth ages 9-18

Project or Activity: 4-H Communications Lessons and Contests (Speeches, Mock Interviews, and Demonstrations)

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Communications Curriculum

Inputs: 4-H Agents

Date: 2025-2026

Audience: 4-H Camp Volunteers (Teens and Adults)

Project or Activity: 4-H Camp Volunteers (Teens and Adults)

Content or Curriculum: Approved 4-H Camp Volunteer Curriculum

Inputs: 4-H Agents

Date: Summer 2026

Audience:  4-H Leaders

Project or Activity: Club Leader Training, Certified Volunteer Training

Content or Curriculum: Approved 4-H Curriculum

Inputs: 4-H Agents, Specialists

Date: 2025-2026

Audience: Teen Leadership Academy Participants

Project or Activity: Green River Area 4-H Teen Leadership Academy

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Life and Work Readiness

Inputs: 4-H Agent

Date: 2025-2026

Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Financial Literacy

Content or Curriculum: FCS Curriculum

Inputs: FCS Agent, Program Assistant

Date: 2025-2026

Audience: Adults Interested in Gardening and Volunteering from the public

Project or Activity: Extension Master Gardener Program:  Programs throughout the community, such as Home Expo, Owensboro Regional Farmers’ Market, and Western KY Botanical Garden, and teaching new class

Content or Curriculum: Extension Master Gardener Curriculum

Inputs: Horticulture Agent, Horticulture Program Assistant, Extension Specialists

Date: 2025-2026

Audience: Farm Families, Individuals 

Project or Activity: KY Farm Succession Seminar: Building the Bridge to Your Farm’s Future

Content or Curriculum: Farm succession and legacy building programs

Inputs: Programmatic materials, ANR Agent, FCS Agent, Horticulture Agent, Extension specialists, Farm Bureau Specialist

Date: July 2025

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:  Increased engagement via knowledge transfer through volunteer-lead Extension programs.

Indicator:  Number of participants who actively engaged in learning opportunities facilitated by trained Extension Master Gardener Volunteers.

Method:  Volunteer reports tracking education interactions.

Timeline: Data collected immediately after each program/event in 2025-2026

Initial Outcome: Improved employability and/or interpersonal skills (e.g. job interview skills, communication, networking, time management)

Indicator: Number of participants who reported improvement in job interview skills; Number of participants who reported improvement in personal skills

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Information collected upon completion of programs

Initial Outcome: Knowledge gained through completing training programs

Indicator: Number of people reporting enhanced knowledge of leadership concepts and practices (e.g. leadership styles, conflict resolution, team dynamics)

Method: Post participating survey

Timeline: Information collected upon completion of program

Initial Outcome: Giving time to serve in volunteer roles (e.g. KEHA or KALP members, Master programs, etc.)

Indicator: Number of people volunteering time to assist Extension or community activities and events

Method: Post participation survey

Timeline: Information collected upon completion of program

Initial Outcome: Improved financial and/or resource management skills (e.g. created a budget, checking credit report, developing an estate plan, etc.)

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported developing skills related to family finance and/or resource management

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Information collected upon completion of program

Initial Outcome: Short Term

Indicator: Number of youth who reported learning new skills to prepare or improve themselves for the workforce as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.

Method: Survey

Timeline: Information collected upon completion of programs

Initial Outcome: Short Term

Indicator: Number of volunteers who facilitated experiences for youth to work in a team/group to accomplish a common task or goal

Method: Survey

Timeline: Information collected upon completion of programs

Initial Outcome: Short Term

Indicator: Number of youth who reported that they learned about budgeting

Method: Survey

Timeline: Information collected upon completion of program

Intermediate Outcome: Giving time to serve in volunteer roles through the Extension Master Gardener Program

Indicator: Number of people volunteering time to assist Extension or community activities and events, including the number of hours reported.

Method: Post participation survey

Timeline: Survey collected annually for volunteer hours reported.

Intermediate Outcome: Medium Term

Indicator: Number of youth who developed a resume as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach

Method: Surveys

Timeline: Information collected upon completion of program

Intermediate Outcome: Medium Term

Indicator: Number of youth who reported that they have practiced budgeting skills

Method: Survey

Timeline: End of the program year

Long-Term Outcome: Engage leaders in local coalitions and organizations

Indicator: Number of individuals actively engaged in coalitions or organizations to address significant community issues

Method: Post-program survey, tracking participation in coalitions and organizations

Timeline: Survey collected immediately after completion, follow-up conducted at three and six months